Railroad thieves tracked down by police

Lake County, Indiana police have arrested seven people and are pursuing a dozen more for looting $2.8 million in valuables from the CSX railroad.

A Monday press conference revealed the result of an eight-month investigation.

The sheriff's office accused the group of thieves of pilfering $2.5 million in pharmaceuticals, 18 automobiles and two motorcycles valued at $291,000, in addition to computers and televisions. The group then allegedly sold the items.

Police said the suspects, from Gary and Hammond, face charges including possession of stolen and retagged vehicles, possessing a stolen firearm, auto theft and resisting law enforcement.

Police said the thefts were from rail yards where train cars are temporarily parked in Northwest Indiana and one in Bedford Park, Ill., just southwest of Chicago.